The New York State Attorney General's Internet Bureau is one of the first of its kind in the nation. Our mission is to coordinate statewide the investigation and prosecution of law enforcement actions involving the Internet, primarily regarding fraudulent, deceptive, or otherwise illegal conduct occurring online. The Bureau fields complaints received directly from consumers who visit the Attorney General's website and responds to inquiries by other bureaus and from other governmental and law enforcement agencies. The Bureau also reviews and prepares legislation where current laws appear inadequate to address the development of the Internet into the marketplace of the 21st century.

Individuals who wish to file a complaint about an online business may submit a written complaint for consideration in the Bureau's mediation program by clicking here.

Consumer Information

Tips for taking action on Cyber Bullying Tips for staying safe on Social Networking Sites Understanding the Internet: Glossary of Technology Terms AOL Agreement Safeguarding your online investments: SEC Tips Tips on Wireless Internet Use Tips to Prevent Modem Hijacking [Printable Version] Phishing Tip Sheet [Printable Version] Tips for Fighting Spyware Advice on Choosing and Using Internet Dial-Up Access Numbers Online Purchase Tips Online Auction Tips Tips to Limit Spam Online Travel Tips Protecting Your Child Online Protecting Your Privacy Online The Truth About Pyramid Schemes Computer Rebate Offers NetSmartz: Internet Safety Awareness

Press Releases

New York Attorney General Vindicates Free Speech Rights Of Consumers - 2/15/07 Groundbreaking Settlements Hold Online Advertisers Responsible For Displaying Ads Through Deceptively Installed “adware” Programs [Spanish] - 1/29/07 New York Joins Nationwide Settlement With Sony BMG Over Hidden Files - 12/21/06 Nationwide Settlement With Paypal Requires Further Disclosure Of Consumers' Rights And Obligations - 9/29/06 State Sues Major "Spyware" Distributor Investigation Reveals Massive Privacy Breach Promotions For Bundled Internet And Phone Services Under Scrutiny - 3/01/06 Website Helps New Yorkers $ave On Prescription Drug Costs - 2/27/06 Internet Concerns Top Consumer Complaints - 2/08/06 Judge Holds Owner Of Internet Companies In Contempt - 12/08/05 Lawsuit Targets Internet Scam Operators - 10/20/05 Internet Exec Held Accountable For Adware, Spyware - 10/20/05 Agreement Removes And Bars Predators' Chat Rooms - 10/12/05 State, Ebay Stem Shipments Of Illegal Stun Guns In NY - 10/11/05 AOL To Reform Customer Service Procedures - 08/24/05 Leading Package Delivery Company Agrees To Stop Shipping Cigarettes To Individual Consumers - 07/05/05 Drug Price Website Reveals Consumer Demand For Easier Price Comparisons - 05/25/05 New Website Tracks Compliance by Non-profit Groups - 05/05/05 State Sues Major "SPYWARE" Distributor - 04/28/05 Cyber Gangs Charged with Internet Drug Trafficking - 04/14/05 Verizon Adds New Safeguards Against "Cramming" - 04/04/05 State AGs and ATF Announce Initiative with Credit Card Companies to Prevent Illegal Internet Cigarette Sales - 03/17/05 Credit Problems Top Consumer Complaints - 02/09/05 "Shill Bidding" Exposed in Online Auctions - 11/8/04 Spitzer Agreement to Make Web Sites Accessible to the Blind and Visually Impaired - 8/19/04 Spitzer Announces Settlement, Sets Strict Standards, for Deceptive Spammer - 7/19/04 Attorney General Reaches Agreement with Barnes and Noble on Privacy and Security Standards - 4/29/04 Settlements Announced in Lawsuit Alleging Bid-rigging Conspiracy at Postage Stamp Auctions - 4/21/04 Jury Finds Buffalo Spammer Guilty Of Identity Theft and Forgery - 4/01/04 Paypal to Clarify Disclosures Related to Rights for Undelivered Goods - 3/08/04 State Lawsuit Attacks Spammers' Fraudulent Emails - 12/18/03 Victoria's Secret Settles Privacy Case - 10/21/03 Settlement with Internet Company Ensures Transparency in Email Marketing Practices - 10/1/03 Agreement Reinstates Consumer "Chargeback" Rights - 9/19/03 Brooklyn Online Retailer to End Deceptive Email Practices - 8/26/03 'Buffalo Spammer' Arraigned on Identity Theft and Forgery Charges - 5/14/03 Ten Banks End Online Gambling with Credit Cards - 2/11/03 Judge Orders Spammer To Halt Deceptive Practices - 1/22/03 Judge Orders Software Developer To Remove And Stop Using Deceptive And Restrictive Clauses - 1/17/03 State Settles Online Privacy Case - 1/14/03 Major Tech Publisher Reaches Agreement on E-Commerce Security Standards - 8/28/02 Major Online Advertiser Agrees To Privacy Standards For Online Tracking - 8/26/02 Agreement Reached with Paypal To Bar New Yorkers from Online Gambling - 8/21/02 Major Pharmaceutucal Company Agrees to New Safeguards For Consumer Data (Lilly) - 7/25/02 Citibank Joins Fight Against Online Gambling - 6/14/02 State Lawsuit Seeks to End Spam Sent by Niagara Falls-based MonsterHut, Inc. - 5/28/02 Settlement with Internet Provider Ensures that Consumers Receive Notice of Changes to Service Agreement - 5/7/02 On-line Rebate Companies Judged to Be Too Risky - 3/12/02 Spitzer Sues Software Developer To Protect Consumers' Free Speech Rights - 2/07/02 Spitzer Reaches Internet Privacy Agreement with AltaVista - 8/21/01 Spitzer Announces Initiative to Help Consumers Avoid Hidden Long-Distance Charges for Access to Internet - 5/21/01 More Press Releases....

Orders

UrbanQ Final Order - 6/03 MonsterHut Judgment and Order - 5/03 State of New York v. MonsterHut - Decision (PDF) - 1/03 State of New York v. Network Associates Inc. - Decision (604KB PDF) - 1/03 New York v. KP Marketing Judgment (PDF) - 9/02 Microsoft Proposal - Description of Proposed Final Judgment State of New York v. Antique & Design Center (Consent Order) - 1/9/01 State of New York v. Lipsitz - Internet Spam Scam Judgment (June 1997) State of New York v. WIGC - Internet Gambling (decision)

Attorney General Guidelines

Guidelines For Offers To Sell Or To Purchase Securities Or Commodities On The Internet Guidelines for Broker-Dealers, Investment Advisors, Broker-Dealer Agents And Investment Advisor Representatives Using The Internet For General Dissemination Of Information On Products And Services

Other Home Pages to Visit

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse Cyberangels.org - Internet Safety Organization GetNetWise - Online Safety Guide Stay Safe Online - Kid-friendly guide to the Internet Virus Hoax List - Check your virus warning against a list of established hoaxes The CyberTipline - Handles leads from individuals reporting the sexual exploitation of children